The College Cheer and Dance Team National Championship, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and the Universal Dance Association, two brands, took place this weekend and hosted competitors from more than 4,000 of the country's top college cheerleaders and dancers from 192 teams. The competition, showcasing the country's best college cheerleaders, dance team performers and mascots, was held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL, from Jan. 16 – 18.

These groups have spent the greater part of the year on the sidelines cheering on some of the best teams in college sports, and all of their hours of hard work and preparation were highlighted in their performances on the infamous Disney stages. In its 31st year, the two-day event hosted 106 squads in the cheerleading division and 86 teams in the dance team division. Cheerleading teams are judged on their stunting and tumbling skills, crowd-leading abilities and overall performance, while the dance competition is judged on choreography, technique, execution and overall effect. Mascots also competed, with 10 mascots vying for the title. All teams are classified according to NCAA classification.

Varsity Spirit will be posting segments of each performance on www.varsity.com so fans around the world can watch their favorite teams. The competitions will also air on ESPNU and ESPN2 starting in February. Viewers can check their local listings for air times.

The Division 1A Winners included:

Coed Cheer:
University of Alabama
Jazz:
University of Tennessee
All Girl Cheer:
University of Alabama
Hip Hop:
University of Cincinnati
Mascot:
Ohio State University –”Brutus Buckeye”
Pom:
University of Minnesota

It's estimated that more than 7,000 spectators from around the United States attended the national championship events, with performances at the HP Field House and J Center at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on the grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort.